The Bloody Maccabeet: A Hanukkah Cocktail

Tina Wasserman
Recipe by
Tina Wasserman

I originally created horseradish vodka to serve with gefilte fish at my Passover seder. Thinking about what this flavor evokes in Jewish cuisine and thinking about the foods we customarily eat for Hanukkah, I created this colorful and delicious Hanukkah cocktail. 

Chag urim sameach, Happy Festival of Lights!

Ingredients
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BLOODY MACCABEET:
15 ounce can Julienne beets
1 ½ cups tomato juice
3-4 tablespoons honey (according to taste)
Juice from 2 medium limes
½-3/4 cup horseradish-flavored potato vodka (recipe below)
Zatar
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HORSERADISH VODKA:
4-inch piece of horseradish
2 cups potato vodka
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Directions

Bloody Maccabeet

  1. Place the contents of the can in a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Add the tomato juice, honey, lime juice, and vodka to the blender and blend well.
  3. Pour into 4-6 highball glasses over ice.
  4. Garnish with zatar and serve.

Horseradish Vodka

  1. Peel a 4-inch piece of horseradish. Rinse.
  2. Using a vegetable peeler or a julienne peeler/shredder, shred about ¼ cup.
  3. Place shredded horseradish in a quart jar and add at least 2 cups of potato vodka (I prefer Titos).
  4. Let the jar of infused vodka sit on your counter for at least two days but preferably four.
  5. Refrigerate with the horseradish until needed.
Additional Notes
  •  I often serve a shot of this vodka at my Passover seder with the gefilte fish.  Mini “Maccabeet” shots could be served as well!

Looking for more holiday dishes to round out your menu? Find additional recipes for a festive Hanukkah